Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton are reportedly about to add a big offensive forward to their lineup

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Elias Edmonson
October 4, 2023 (1:30 PM)

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Yesterday afternoon, the Ottawa Senators' General Manager, Pierre Dorion, caused a huge surprise by submitting forward Egor Sokolov and defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker to the NHL waivers. Moreover, according to many experts, it would not be surprising if both players were claimed within the next few hours.

Considered quality prospects within the Ontario organization, this decision raised many questions among fans. Several observers believe that Pierre Dorion acted this way due to the challenging cap situation he currently faces.

In this regard, former Montreal Canadiens member, Marc Dumont, wonders if the Canadiens' management might be interested in claiming Egor Sokolov. Drafted in the second round in the 2020 draft, the 6'3" forward possesses exceptional offensive skills, having been simply dominant in the AHL last year.

«The Montreal Canadiens could have the opportunity to acquire a talented winger for free.» - Marc Dumont

At 23 years old, the Russian tallied an impressive total of 28 goals and 31 assists (59 points) in 70 games with the Belleville Senators, thus finishing at the top of his team's scoring. There's no doubt that a change of scenery would benefit him and could potentially give him a chance to establish himself permanently in the NHL.

Furthermore, the Canadiens' General Manager, Kent Hughes, has repeatedly shown that he wants to provide opportunities for young players with high potential to flourish under the guidance of Martin St-Louis. Will Egor Sokolov be his next target? One thing is certain, we will have an answer in the next few minutes.

After all, the financial risk would be virtually non-existent, with him earning a salary of $775,000 for the next three years. Additionally, if the Senators' forward fails to secure a spot with the main team, he could quickly become an important element for the Laval Rocket.

In your opinion, should the Canadiens claim Egor Sokolov?

Credit: GoNordiques